MyGeekBox September 2014

When I heard September's theme was going to be Apocalypse I was more than eager for something to do with zombies to be included, and MyGeekBox haven't disappointed.

The first item in my box is a copy of World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks, the book behind the recent movie of the same name. I haven't seen the film but I hear there are a lot of differences. One of my favourite novels of all time is Stephen King's The Stand, a post-apocalyptic fantasy horror, so hopefully I'll enjoy reading this. 

Next is a Hostess Twinkie, the iconic American sponge cake with a cream filling. If you haven't seen Zombieland you may be wondering what this has to do with zombies. One of the main characters, Tallahassee, has an obsession with hunting down the last Twinkie. 

Then I got a Funko Mystery Mini Vinyl Figure from The Walking Dead series. I'm very happy to have received Daryl Dixon, my favourite character, holding his signature crossbow. This adorable figure is just 3 inches tall and looks quite chibi-like.

There's also a voucher code for 10% off 'The Mill' at End of Days Events, a realistic zombie survival experience. My boyfriend is an avid paintball fan so I think he would enjoy this. 

The next item is a yellow T-shirt featuring an image of Vault Boy, a mascot in the Fallout video game series set in the aftermath of a global nuclear war, who has been redesigned with mutations due to radiation.

The final product is a single-use bright green Glow Stick with a cord necklace; a convenient source of light for when the apocalypse comes, or just a fun party item. 

This month saw the introduction of a free MyGeekBox magazine, but as it's only the pilot issue there isn't much in it aside from a game review of Metro Redux and an interview with a cosplayer.

If you're a fan of horror like me, don't miss out on next month's Nightmare box available to order now!

You Beauty Discovery September 2014

This month marked the first birthday of You Beauty Discovery. To celebrate the occasion all subscribers received a free Toni & Guy Glamour Volume Plumping Whip (90 ml), in addition to their usual monthly treats. 

Volume Plumping Whip is a hair cream designed to volumise the roots and create all-day body without flyaways, and it's applied to the roots of damp hair before heat styling. It's easy to use and doesn't interfere with my routine at all. It annoys me when a product requires effort, such as waiting 20 minutes before rinsing, but with this I can simply rub it into my roots right before I use the hair dryer. 

From the September menu I selected the following two items:

ARK Age Aware Skincare Body Butter & Shower Gel Duo (30 ml each)

I mistakenly received a duplicate of the Body Butter, but You Beauty were quick to send me a replacement Shower Gel. The Body Butter I got was in 'Living' scent, which is very herbal and has a strong lavender fragrance. It's a creamy lotion that leaves the skin feeling softer. It has a runny consistency so it's easy to pour too much. My Shower Gel is 'Loving', which has a lighter, citrusy scent. 

Wild About Beauty Nutrilips Colour SPF15

I received this lipstick in the shade 02 Bobbie, a nude colour with a sheer finish for a lovely neutral look. Enriched with argan oil and mango butter, it feels very moisturising and softens my lips but I find the scent is overpowering; It has a sickly sweet vanilla and greasy aroma. Perhaps I just have an overly sensitive nose?

The extra treats included two teabags from Crabtree & Evelyn - one Afternoon Tea and a Green Tea with Blackberry. Even though I'm British I'm not really a tea drinker, I much prefer a hot cup of cocoa, but I'm all for trying new beverages and have been curious about green tea for a while. 

Also included was a £25 voucher for Hello Fresh, a weekly subscription service that delivers fresh, high quality ingredients for you to cook healthy, chef-created recipes at home. The Classic Box in the '3 meals for 2 people' option works out at £39 for me, so with the £25 discount I would have to spend £14 - a reasonable price for 3 meals. I may gift this to my boyfriend's mother as she is more health conscious and has a greater interest in cooking meals from scratch.

The last of the freebies is a round cosmetics sponge that has a handy ribbon strap. This makeup sponge seems high quality and feels very soft and suede-like. 

I have to admit the selection this time wasn't as alluring to me as it has been in previous months, but the value for money cannot be disputed. The lipstick alone retails for £15 whereas this subscription costs just £6.95 a month, including postage. 

My Boutique Box Launch Box

My Boutique Box is the newest beauty subscription box service on the UK market, launching just last month. They offer subscriptions in one month, 3 month and 6 month blocks at £10, £28.50 and £55 respectively, plus P&P.

The box is a simple white cardboard box measuring approx. 6.5 x 6 x 2.5 inches, with a My Boutique Box sticker on the lid. It's supposed to include a product list but a factory error meant some boxes, including my own, went overlooked so this was emailed to subscribers instead. 

There were 5 products in my box:

1. NYC 'In a New York Minute' Quick Dry Nail Polish

This fast-drying nail polish came in the shade 046 Shinning Shoes (that's how it's spelt on the label), which is a very dark, shimmery green colour. I may wear it when I go to see Wicked next month. 

2. Azure Internationale Spa Collagen Woven Facial Mask

This pre-moistened face mask comes ready to use, simply apply it to a clean, dry face then remove the backing. After about 20 minutes, slowly peel it off then rinse and pat dry for softer, smoother skin. I love the packaging for this, it's such a beautiful light cyan colour, but it sure is a nightmare to photograph shiny surfaces.

3. Manhattan Soft Mat Lipcream

This is my favourite item out of the five. It's a creamy lipstick that applies like a lip gloss, with a wand applicator. Not only does it smell delicious, it also glides on easily and the texture feels silky and velvety soft on the lips. I received it in the shade 95G, which is quite a brown colour with warm coral undertones that's neutral enough for everyday wear. The matte finish can sometimes appear a bit chalky and can be drying, but using it with a layer of lip balm adds more moisture and gives a glossy finish if you prefer. Nonetheless, I'm very keen to check out other shades in this range.

4. W7 Angled Eye Shadow Brush

Talk about coincidence, I was actually contemplating purchasing this exact brush just a few days ago! It's smaller than I expected it to be at just 5 and a half inches long, and it's also very thin and lightweight. The angled shape of this brush allows for easier contouring and is useful for defining brows or applying eyeliner.

5. Vaseline Lip Therapy

This lip balm is very handy to keep in your purse as we move into the Winter season, to protect your lips against the harsh weather conditions. It contains soothing Aloe Vera and is lime green in colour but applies clear onto the lips. It, bizarrely, smells like cucumber and bubblegum to me.

Overall, I'm fairly happy with what My Boutique Box included in their launch box. I am a sucker for lip products, so to receive 2 is fine by me. The eye shadow brush is something I already wanted anyway, and I'm excited to try out the woven facial mask. My only concern is that it doesn't seem to be very good value for money compared to other beauty boxes on the market, but this is only their first box after all. I'm interested to see the direction they take in future. 

Okashi Connection August 2014

Okashi Connection is a monthly subscription box full of Japanese treats. They ship internationally with free shipping for only $22 a month (just over £13), and using code GEEKERY will get you a $1 discount. I haven't faced any additional customs fees but my bank charges a Foreign Purchase Fee of £1, so be wary of that. The package comes with a printout which briefly explains what each item is, and contains a password to a members only blog post for a more in-depth description of that month's box. 

Here is what I received this month:

Country Ma'am Cookies

This box of cookies are a special edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hello Kitty. There are 10 individually wrapped cookies - 5 vanilla and 5 strawberry flavour. The vanilla ones are just like regular chocolate chip cookies, but with a softer texture. They're delicious! The strawberry ones have a pinkish colour, and the strawberry overpowers the taste of the chocolate.

Ottotto Crackers

These crispy hollow crackers are in the shape of sea creatures and are Takoyaki flavoured. I have never had Takoyaki, but these taste like sticky BBQ ribs with a hint of Worcestershire sauce to me. The box contains 2 packets.

Pai no Mi

Pai no Mi are little pastry puffs and these ones have a mild cotton candy flavour filling. The soft, creamy centre and the flaky pastry go beautifully together. These were my favourite snacks this month and are very addictive!

Koala no Machi

These Koala no Machi, which translates to Koala's March, are chocolate banana flavour biscuits. They are little crunchy parcels with koala bears on them and contain a creamy banana filling. The banana flavour is quite intense and lingering.

Caplico Giant Panda 

This is a wafer cone with a creamy white chocolate that's light and bubbly, like Nestlé Aero. The cone is filled with a fluffy milk chocolate. It's a very crumbly, messy treat but has a delicious cookies and cream taste.

Baby Star Ramen

This is a pack of four Baby Star Ramen crisps comprised of (from left to right) salt, spicy soy, sauce mayo and chicken flavour. They are a savoury snack that look like thin crispy noodles that remind me of pretzels. The salt and sauce mayo flavours are the best of the bunch.

Overall, I am impressed with the quality of this subscription box. These are items I can't purchase here in the UK and it's excellent value for money. It's a fairly new company but the owner seems very pleasant and offers great customer service. I can be a bit flaky with some subscription boxes but this is one I can see myself staying loyal to. It's such a fun and interesting experience to try these snacks, and one my boyfriend and I both look forward to each month.

MyGeekBox August 2014

MyGeekBox is a UK-based monthly subscription box featuring items relating to nerd culture (films, comics, video games, etc.) with prices starting from £14.99 including shipping. It comes in a bright blue, MyGeekBox-branded cardboard box which arrives inside another plain box. Like Loot Crate, each month they cater towards a specific theme, this one being Quests. 

The first item in my box is a set of four The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey postcards.I'm not a big fan of the franchise but my boyfriend enjoys it. If only these had arrived a few weeks earlier when he was visiting family in Canada. 

Next up is a limited edition T-shirt featuring a mash-up of The Lord of the Rings and Dog Soldiers to create Rivendell Dogs. 

Then we have a box of Harry Potter Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. My younger brother has been bugging me to play Beanboozled, a game with coloured jelly beans that have nice flavours and not-so-nice flavours but that are indistinguishable, so you can't tell whether you have chosen peach or vomit flavoured until it's too late. We played it once a few months ago and it's a lot of fun but the nasty flavours are disgustingly authentic. He'll be excited to try these Harry Potter ones. There are 20 flavours including banana, black pepper, candyfloss, booger, grass, earthworm, marshmallow, rotten egg, lemon and earwax, to name a few.

The last two items are both Game of Thrones-related, which I was desperately hoping would be included. The first is a vinyl figure of Drogon, the fiercest of Dany's three dragons. 

And then we have a House of Stark book mark, which I will definitely be making use of as I finish reading A Feast For Crows and A Dance With Dragons.

Overall, I was a bit underwhelmed by the items in my box, but I'm very happy about the Game of Thrones goodies. The theme next month is Apocalypse which is right up my street! I just love all things zombie.

Loot Crate August 2014

The Loot Crate theme last month was Villains, so how very fitting to follow that up with Heroes. The inside of the box has been given an awesome Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-inspired redesign and even has a pop-up sofa.

It's only appropriate, then, that the first item I discuss is a TMNT Ooze Action figure. This little figurine is the perfect size for playing (or displaying) with the cardboard sewer lair. There are six various characters available - Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo, Splinter and Shredder - of which I received Raphael, who comes with a pair of glow-in-the-dark sai.

One more TMNT item this month, a pair of sunglasses styled as the iconic bandanna. These would be great for a lazy Halloween costume. I got red ones but they are also available in blue, purple and orange.

Another wearable item next, a pair of Schwings lightning bolts. These silver and neon green lightning bolts lace onto your shoes to jazz up your outfit. 

Also included is an Epic Scents air freshener. I received Mega Man in Cool Rush scent. This would be good to hang in a small space such as a car or in your wardrobe. 

Then we have a magnet of 'Willson's Chimichang'Os, the breakfast of anti-heroes!', a take on Chimichanga as a cereal box in reference to Deadpool.

Loot Crate have included a trio of exclusive bonus digital content. The first code downloads the full game of  Defense Grid: The Awakening on Steam. The second code unlocks characters for the free app, Doctor Who: Legacy. And the third code unlocks Mask of the Wyrm Slayer, an in-game helm for Gauntlet, available for purchase separately. 

The final item in my box is a Guardians of the Galaxy vinyl bobble-head figure of Groot, which glows in the dark and is yet another Loot Crate exclusive. 

The obligatory magazine this month has a great article about the origins of various heroes and the complexities behind what it takes to be one. There is also a match the quote game and spot the difference, followed by a run down of the products included in the box. As usual, the Loot Crate badge features the same design as the  magazine cover. Speaking of which, the cover fits together with the previous issue to make one complete image. 

Overall, this was a pretty decent box, although I'm a little sad that they didn't include a T-shirt this month, as I always look forward to seeing what cool design they will come up with next. 

New subscribers save 10% with code HEROES at checkout.

GlossyBox August 2014

This month's box marks the 3rd anniversary of GlossyBox and features a slight revamp with a pastel pink matte finish. Even the product description card has had a fancy makeover. 

There are 6 items this month; the usual 5 products and a birthday bonus. 

The first is a highlighter in Cashmere by Kryolan with exclusive GlossyBox packaging. You apply this creamy balm to your cheekbones, cupid's bow and brow bones for a sheer shimmery glow. This 4.5 g product is full sized and worth £12.95.

Then we have an 20 ml sample (full size 80 ml, £6.95) of Figs & Rouge Hand Cream in Rose and Berry scent. It smells similar to Vaseline Healthy Hands + Stronger Nails Hand Cream. It absorbs nicely into the skin and leaves no residue behind. I really like the lid on this, the hexagonal shape is so easy to grip when your hands are covered in slippery cream. 

Another hand care product next, a 15 ml pot of All That Jazz Cuticle Balm. I received it in Chocolate Orange scent which smells like orange flavour Jacob's Club bars and cocoa body butter. You just rub this into your cuticles and it's designed to hydrate and nourish the nails. This is full sized with an RRP of £11.99.

Next up is Philip Kingsley Elasticizer, a pre-shampoo treatment for improving hair manageability. You apply it to wet hair and leave in for 20 minutes minimum, rinse and then follow with shampoo and conditioner, shampooing twice if you have very fine hair. My hair seems to lack elasticity and snaps easily with tension, so I'm excited to try this out. This is a 40 ml sample, the full size costs £38 for 250 ml.

Also included is a 2 ml sample of L'Amour by Lalique. It has a beautiful floral fragrance with a soft muskiness to it. A 50 ml bottle is priced at £67.

The birthday bonus item is a 3 ml mini Yves Rocher nail polish in Rose, a pretty pink shade that matches the colour of the GlossyBox. This is a full sized product with a value of £3.60.

Overall, I am quite satisfied with the diverse range of products included in my box this month. It's not just cosmetics but hair and skin care too. I'm especially glad for the chance to try out the Elasticizer, as £38 for a full size is a rather steep investment.

You Beauty Discovery August 2014

The theme for You Beauty Discovery this month is Summer Essentials, with an emphasis on skin and hair care and hydration.

There are 4 free extra treats in this box, the first of which is a 2 ml sample of Jimmy Choo Eau De Parfum. This perfume has a fruity citrus fragrance. It's quite sweet, I find it has a very slight hint of lemon sherbet. 

A second Jimmy Choo sample is also included - a 2 ml bottle of Man Eau De Toilette. This cologne has a musky woody scent that reminds me of Paco Rabanne's XS, one of my favourite male fragrances. I'll definitely be asking my boyfriend to wear this. 

Another freebie this month is a 2 ml sample sachet of FaceD 3-Luronics Instant Effect Cream Serum. This face cream is designed to reduce the visibility of fine lines and improve skin hydration and firmness. I can't account for how well it reduces wrinkles but I can certainly attest to how soft and smooth it makes your skin feel. 

The final bonus item is a 4-way nail buffer. This is a spongy block with 4 different sides designed to file, smooth, buff and polish your nails. I love these things, they're so convenient and the numbered steps on each side make it easy to use.

The two products I chose from the August menu were the Gazelli Triple Youth with White Oil Duo and the Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Masque. 

The Gazelli Triple Youth luxury set consists of Ultimate Firming Serum (5 ml) and Intensive Age-Repair Cream (5 ml). This was the most expensive item in my box, with a value of £16.00 - double the cost of the entire thing! You are supposed to use the serum morning and night to nourish and firm the skin, then apply the cream to protect the skin, hydrate and plump out fine lines. I gifted this to my mother who hasn't used the cream yet, but she has used the serum and is very impressed with it. 

My second product, the Louise Galvin Sacred Locks Masque (100 ml) is an intensive hair treatment which nourishes hair, restores moisture and leaves it feeling very soft and healthy. You use it twice a week by applying it to towel dried hair, leaving it for a minimum of ten minutes, partially rinsing to disperse it through the hair then combing and rinsing it out. Alternatively you can use it as a daily conditioner.

Overall, I am once again very happy with my You Beauty Discovery box. High quality products at a very affordable price... what's not to love about that?

Candy Japan

Candy Japan is a monthly subscription box of Japanese sweets. You receive a package of assorted candy twice a month for the price of $25 (approx £15) with free shipping. 

As the packaging isn't in English an email is sent to subscribers to explain the contents so you know what you are eating. The latest shipment was an envelope containing two items - one sweet and one sour. 

The email lists the box on the left as Pickled Plum and Basil Pretzels, and the packet on the right as Kumamoto Banpeiyu Puccho.

The Pickled Plum and Basil Pretzels come in two packs and are long, thin crispy pretzel sticks that look a bit like Pocky, but with a very sour, salty flavour.

The Kumamoto Banpeiyu Puccho is a packet of individually wrapped chewy candies. They have a very soft, gummy texture. They are Banpeiyu flavoured, which is a citrus fruit, and taste like tangerine and grapefruit to me.

So that's what I got in my envelope. It's not a lot, but bare in mind this is one of two packages sent out over the month. I have to be honest, fruity and citrus flavours are not really my thing, but I still enjoyed the experience of getting to sample candies from Japan; This really appeals to the anime and manga fan in me. I also appreciate the email with English descriptions, though I think it's fun to taste them first to see if you can figure out what they are for yourself.